HC Deb 05 March 1925 vol 181 cc679-80W
Major HORE-BELISHA

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what steps, if any, are being taken to provide bathrooms for the chief petty officers, petty officers, and men of His Majesty's destroyers of the V and W type; whether he is aware that these ratings have to bath in leather baths on the upper-deck or in their messes in full view of their messmates; and, seeing that a bathroom could be fitted under the break of the forecastle without any great constructional alteration or expense, he will cause this course to be pursued?

Mr. DAVIDSON

The limitation of space in these small vessels does not permit of the provision of bathroom accommodation on the scale of larger warships. Canvas bath screens are authorised in recent destroyers for providing a temporary enclosed space at the break of the forecastle, but to fit per manent screens in this position would interfere with the fighting efficiency of the vessels.